Greetings from an ever changing Ireland

Saturday 8 August 09


Dear family and friends,
How terrible to start nearly every letter with the weather but in this island of ours that seems to be the most important news reel of every news bulletin. We had 3 glorious days, some cloud cover, lots of sun, please note, NO RAIN, with slight southerly winds. Today is another story, grey, dark, mist rain, and somewhat cooler than the 20 degrees we experienced since Wednesday,
We made a decision to go away for a few days after a weeklong discussion. I so desperately want to go to Galway and surroundings Westport etc, but being middle of the summer season the hotel accommodation is double as Galway is the tourist attraction city of Ireland. We love the north and that is where the prices are also within reach of the lesser affluent of society. Still expensive but I reckoned that ,we have not been away from this house except for 2 night in 2006 when we went to Exeter for the wedding , all other trips were one day affairs and in spite of recession we can be a little extravagant and spent a few nights in a hotel at the coast. Bundoran, very small but on the sea far north in Donegal Bay. We will leave here after church tomorrow and arrive at 4pm at our destination God willing and enjoy being served for about 84 hours in all. That sounds just great and I can’t wait!
Back in Cranleymore the bird population is large in numbers and still growing. The swallows in the donkey house is a week old today and the female in the garage with the new nest is sitting since Wednesday on 4 eggs. The young robins are all changing colours and it is wonderful how the Lord has provided the different characteristics of each bird specie
The vegetable garden is now totally gone the last onions pulled and the tomatoes died green on the stork. The apples all 9 of them are still there and begin to get red cheeks another 2 weeks and we will taste our own apples. In spite of Barry’s misgivings about the strawberries we have had a great crop, pick about 15-20 everyday and have a lovely fruit desert after evening meal. The sweet peas died and we will harvest some seeds, the Clematis looks lovely and the climbing roses are doing their best. Many roses we have are only one season and therefore will not flower again- we are learning ?!
As you can gather I am officially on holiday, after I kicked off with 2 nights in the nursing home which passed without any problems and not so bad after all. I had a great helper and make a world of difference, medications is my sole responsibility and I got better every time , completed the round in 2 hrs the last night 41 patients and maybe 6 of them taking their medication themselves. The hard work is putting the high dependent clients to bed and make sure they are all tucked in for the night.
I will be away when the announcement will be made of who is to be sacked and who will stay. I think that it will be done according to peoples’ ability to adjust to various jobs. Those who are adamant not to work in the nursing home stand a good chance of going, Those who are computer literate, knows about accreditation and have been trained to train will have a better change and as the good Lord willed it I fall in the last category, so am not worried and will enjoy every minute away!
Coming back from town today I realised that summer is really on its last legs as the long grass are going yellow and the leaves are falling at an alarming rate. I am so fascinated by the hot and long summers Canada experienced so much nearer to the poles and we, exposed to every bit of theatrical weather whim suffer tremendously.
Although our Tante Poppie had her birthday it does not mean that we will forget her and we pray and hope that she will enjoy every day as it comes. Having her there in the Cape Province made me realize how many family members on our side is now living in the Cape. My brother Mendel, Anke his wife and 2 of their children with their families, My cousin Retha has a daughter in Stellenbosch teaching and a brother Tjaart living there as well, then the 2 sons of our Tante Poppie and other cousins from the late Tant Emma, wondering of all these cousins first en second knows each other and communicate? Sitting so far away from your family and I know it was my choice, you always have thoughts about them and would love to hear from them all. How about a family get together and a photo????????? Scholtz’es and extended family, cousins, nieces and nephews, Coetzee’s, Eloff’s!!!
Well I have one birthday in my book and that is of young Gerhard of Frikkie and Elmarie on the 12th. Happy Birthday to the young man, I will send a message nearer to the day!
To all who are studying , everything of the best, those who are preparing to get married, do it well! those who have to pick crops, may the prices be excellent, and those on holiday, enjoy it thoroughly!
Take care regarding your safety, do not take changes, be always alert.
Enjoy the Spring that is around the corner!
Enjoy a blessed Sunday!
Love and regards from
The Dunnes in Cranleymore Ireland